istributed Line Constant

The primary line constants are parameters that describe the characteristics of copper (or other
conductive material) transmission lines in terms of the physical electrical properties of the line.
The primary line constants are only relevant to copper lines and are to be contrasted with the
secondary line constants, which can be derived from them, and are more generally applicable.
The secondary line constants can be used, for instance, to compare the characteristics of a
waveguide to a copper line, whereas the primary constants have no meaning for a waveguide.
Primary Line Constant
Equivalent Circuit

1. Inductance
When we AC input is applied to the transmission line its inductive reactance (XL)
increases with increase in frequency. As the transmission line is made of the millions of
small particles, therefore the chain of those particles make the transmission line to behave
as inductor.
The presence of this inductance provides us the opposition to the flow of alternating
current. This inductance is also one of the primary line constant and it is measured in
H/Km Henry/kilometer.
2. Capacitance
As the transmission line is made of two conducting wires and in between these wires the
dielectric is present, therefore, it is obvious that the capacitance will be present in the
transmission lines. The dielectric material used in transmission lines may be air, plastic,
rubber, polystyrene or polyethylene etc. the capacitance of the transmission line is
measured in f/km.
3. Conductance
The two wires of the transmission line are separated from each other with the help of
insulating material. As each insulating material has more or less conductive effect,
therefore, conductance is also one of the primary line constants. It is measured in
mho/km.
4. Resistance
As the transmission line is made of the conducting wire and we know that every wire has
some specific resistance according to the type of material used. The transmission line will
also have the loop resistance which is known as one of the primary line constants. It is
measured in ohm/km.